Tech Communities Are Failing and It's Our Faulty
Tech community management isn't just about organizing events — it's about creating a space where people feel seen, heard...
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Prop Drilling with React Context API
Ever felt buried in props, passing data down layer after layer of components in your React app? The Context API can help ease this situation.**What is it?**Context API is a built-in React feature for sharing data across components without manual prop drilling. It creates a context, a central store for data, that can be accessed by any component within the provider tree.**How does it work?**Imagine a context as a channel. You create a context using `createContext` and define the data it holds. Then, you wrap a part of your component tree with a `Provider`, which injects the data into the channe...
Jokes & Quotes
Hello, Africoders! 🌍 Happy coding 💻*Jokes & Quote of the Day**Joke**Quote
Tech tip of the day
Utilize tools like ESLint and Prettier to enforce code style and catch potential errors early on. Consistent formatting improves readability and collaboration on projects.
The Code Review Journey
Hello, Africoders! 🌍Ken’s first task was to submit code for review. he felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. Just like Ken, many of us face similar feelings. How do we navigate this process smoothly?---### Best Practices for Giving Feedback1. Be Constructive: Ken's colleague, David, reviewed he code. Instead of pointing out mistakes harshly, he provided constructive feedback. "I noticed this function is a bit complex. Perhaps we can break it down into smaller, more manageable parts?" How do you provide constructive feedback?2. Be Specific: David was specific in his feedback. He poi...
Why is Test driven development (TDD) important?
Test-Driven Development (TDD) is a software development process where tests are written before writing the actual code. It is an iterative process that emphasizes writing small, automated tests before implementing the corresponding functionality. The main goal of TDD is to ensure that the codebase is thoroughly tested and that each piece of functionality is explicitly defined by tests. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the TDD process:**1. Write a Test**```• Identify the requirement: Determine a specific feature or piece of functionality that needs to be implemented.• Write a test: Create a test...
Crash Course in Data Structures: A Night of Learning for a GDSC Interview
Hey Africoders! As a computing student, I recently went through the interview process for the Google Developers Student Club (GDSC) at my university. While prepping, I spent a whole night diving into the world of data structures. Even though data structures are officially on the curriculum next semester, I knew understanding them would be beneficial. (Spoiler alert: it was!)While data structures didn't come up directly in my interview, the knowledge I gained has already proven valuable. Now, I'm eagerly awaiting feedback to see if I'll get the chance to lead the GDSC chapter on our campus. Fin...
What is the correct way to declare a variable in javascript?
a. const cityName = Lagos; b. const cityname = c. const cityName = d. const CityName = 
What Are the Most Important Factors You Consider When Accepting a Job Offer?
Hello, Africoders 🌍After months of job hunting, he finally received multiple job offers. Exciting, right? But with excitement came the overwhelming task of choosing the right one. Just like Ken, we all face this crossroads at some point in our careers. Here are some factors to consider:### Mapping Out Your Decision1. Company Culture: Ken knew that a positive work environment was crucial. He visited the companies' offices, spoke with potential colleagues, and asked questions about their work culture. What do you value in a company’s culture?2. Growth Opportunities: Ken looked for compan...
Making Choices: Conditional Statements and Booleans
Conditional statements like `if`, `else if`, and `else` leverage booleans to control program flow. The statement checks the boolean condition, and if it is `true`, the corresponding code block executes.```let age = 18;if (age >= 18) {console.log("You are eligible to vote!");} else {console.log("Sorry, you must be 18 or older to vote.");}```**The `Boolean()` function:**JavaScript provides the `Boolean()` function, which can explicitly convert a value to a boolean. While often unnecessary due to implicit conversion, it can be helpful in certain situations.```let userName = "";if (Boolean(user...
Finding Your Way Around the Tech Job Market
**Hello, Africoders! 🌍**Meet Ken. Ken always loved tinkering with gadgets and solving puzzles. One day, he decided to turn this passion into a career. He didn't know where to start, but he was determined. Just like Ken, your journey into the tech world starts with a single step: identifying your passion.---**Mapping Your Path**1. **Discover Your Interests:** Think about what excites you most in tech. Do you love creating websites, designing sleek apps, crunching data, or securing systems?2. **Build Your Skills:** Ken found his calling in software development. He took online courses and...
Visual Studio vs. Visual Studio Code: What You Didn't Know
As a fellow computing student, you might be familiar with the two big Vs in the development world: Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code. For the first three semesters, I dove headfirst into C++, C#, and VB.NET using Visual Studio. Then, when I switched to web development projects, Visual Studio Code became my go-to editor. But here's the thing: these are quite different tools despite the similar names!### **A Brief History of Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code**Visual Studio, the granddaddy of the two, has been around since 1997. It started as a rapid application development tool and has gro...
INTRODUCTION TO AGILE METHODOLOGY: KEY PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES
Agile methodology is an iterative and incremental approach to software development and project management that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and customer satisfaction. Key principles of Agile include:1\. \*\*Customer Collaboration\*\*: Working closely with customers to understand their needs and deliver solutions that meet their requirements.2\. \*\*Responding to Change\*\*: Embracing changes in requirements, even late in development, to ensure the product remains relevant and useful.3\. \*\*Iterative Development\*\*: Breaking the project into small, manageable units called iterations...
Design thinking is a human-centered approach to innovation
Design thinking is a human-centered approach to innovation and problem-solving that draws from the designer’s toolkit to integrate the needs of people, the possibilities of technology, and the requirements for business success. It is widely used across various industries to foster creativity, address complex problems, and develop innovative solutions. Design thinking is characterized by its focus on understanding the user, collaborative and interdisciplinary teamwork, and iterative testing and refinement of solutions.
The Comprehensive Guide to API Testing
In today's interconnected digital landscape, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are the glue that holds software systems together. They enable different applications to communicate, share data, and orchestrate complex workflows seamlessly. Given their critical role, ensuring that APIs function correctly, securely, and efficiently is paramount. This is where API testing comes into play.In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the intricacies of API testing, its significance, methodologies, tools, and best practices to help you ensure your APIs are robust and reliable.**Conclusion**API...
The World of Open Source
Hello, Africoders! 🌍Today, we’ll talk about open source. a world where software isn't locked behind paywalls but is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and share. This is the essence of open source.In simple terms, open-source software is software with source code that anyone can inspect, modify, and enhance. It's built by a community of developers who work together to create and improve software, sharing their work with the world.### The Story of Open SourceThe open source movement began in the late 20th century, championed by pioneers like Richard Stallman and Linus Torvalds....
Mastering the Boolean Data Type in JavaScript
In the world of JavaScript, where code dictates what happens on your screen, the boolean data type reigns supreme in the realm of decision-making. Simply put, booleans are like tiny switches that can only be in two positions: on (true) or off (false).But don't be fooled by their simplicity! These fundamental building blocks are crucial for controlling program flow, making your JavaScript applications intelligent and responsive.**Truth Be Told: Declaring Booleans**Declaring a boolean variable in JavaScript is straightforward. You can use the keywords `true` or `false` to assign a boolean value:...
Where to learn software engineering for free
HTML - html.comCSS → web. dev/learn/cssJavaScript - javascript.infoReact - reactplay.ioVue - Learnvue.coGit - git-scm.com/bookWebs - Learnweb3.10Python - learnpython.orgSQL - w3schools.com/sqlBlockchain - cryptozombies.ioNextjs - nextjs.org/learnAI - elementsofai.comML - freecodecamp.org/learn/machine-learning-with-pythonPHP - phptherightway.comAPI - rapidapi.com/learnGo - learn-golang.orgRust - rust-lang.org/learn
Critical Thinking As A Software Engineer
Critical thinking is the process of analyzing and evaluating information, arguments, and ideas in a disciplined and systematic way. It involves several key skills and dispositions, including:1\. Analysis: Breaking down complex information into smaller, more understandable parts.2\. Evaluation: Assessing the credibility and relevance of information sources and the strength of arguments.3\. Inference: Drawing logical conclusions from available evidence.4\. Explanation: Clearly and concisely articulating reasons and arguments.5\. Self-Regulation: Reflecting on one's own beliefs, values, and think...
for loop vs array.map in javascript
When it comes to navigating the world of arrays in JavaScript, two powerful tools emerge: the classic `for loop` and the modern `map()` method. Both allow you to iterate through each element but cater to different scenarios. Let's explore the key differences and see which one reigns supreme in modern development.**The Trusty for Loop: A Workhorse with Control**The `for loop` offers a familiar structure, giving you granular control over the iteration process. You define a starting point, a condition for continuing, and how to increment after each iteration. This control comes in handy when modi...
Question of the day: box-sizing: border-box?
What does`box-sizing: border-box` do?a. Padding and border are included in the element's total width and heightb. Only padding is included in the element's total width and heightc. Only border is included in the element's total width and heightd. Margin, padding, and border are included in the element's total width and height
